Concrete elevation assembly, hollow concrete block, and method of making

ABSTRACT

A concrete step assembly includes risers with each having a longitudinal projection on its upper end for disposition in a longitudinal receptacle in a bottom surface of a tread resting on the riser. Each riser has a pair of slots in its bottom surface to receive a portion of a projection on a concrete block of each of two supports formed of concrete blocks. Each tread has a pair of transverse receptacles in its bottom surface to receive a portion of a projection on a concrete block of each of the two supports. The transverse receptacles communicate with the longitudinal receptacle in the bottom surface of the tread to enable the portions of the projections on the concrete blocks therein to abut the longitudinal projection on the riser in the longitudinal receptacle. When the concrete block has another of the concrete blocks thereabove, the projection on the lower of the two concrete blocks fits in a groove in the bottom surface of the upper concrete block. A reinforced concrete ramp assembly is formed of concrete slabs or planks. Each slab, which has its upper surface inclined and a middle portion of its bottom surface parallel thereto, has flat portions of its bottom surface formed to receive a projection extending upwardly from the concrete block of each of the two supports on which the slab is supported. A hollow concrete block, which has a horizontal through passage, has a projection on its top wall and a channel in its bottom wall. The projection on one block is received in a channel in a block stacked thereabove with the top of the projection being spaced from the base of channel to form a recess to receive an adhesive to join the blocks to each other.

[0001] This is a continuation in part of copending patent applicationSer. No. 08/986,453, filed Dec. 8, 1997, of Bruce H. Crant et al.

[0002] This invention relates to a concrete elevation assembly formed ofcomponents or elements to enable a person to move from one elevation toanother, a hollow concrete block utilized as a support for the concreteelevation assembly or as a wall, and a method for forming the hollowconcrete block and, more particularly, to a concrete elevation assemblyin which the components or elements may be easily assembled by oneperson in an interlocking relation, a hollow concrete block having thetolerances of its walls parallel to the longitudinal axis of a throughpassage closely controlled, and a method for forming the hollow concreteblock so that its through passage may be disposed horizontal to have thetolerances of its support walls closely controlled.

[0003] The concrete elevation assembly may be either a step assembly ora ramp assembly. Each enables a person to move from one elevation toanother.

[0004] Various step assemblies have previously been suggested in U.S.Pat. Nos. 744,887 to Walsh, 1,265,949 to Osborn, 1,475,777 to Ballenger,1,879,996 to Sherwood, 2,153,017 to Henderson, 2,722,823 to Summers,3,025,639 to Lemieux, and 3,706,170 to Argraves et al. The assembly ofeach of the aforesaid patents has disadvantages, particularly when thesteps are to be assembled by an unskilled artisan such as ado-it-yourself person, who lacks both the knowledge and the tools toperform certain functions such as being able to form cement or mortar.

[0005] The aforesaid Walsh patent has risers and treads of steps formedof plastic and relies solely on cementing the risers and the treads toeach other to hold them in place. It is not understood how plastic canbe cemented to plastic. However, even if it could, a base-wall is formedas a single element beneath the width of the steps or as two elements atopposite sides of the steps. There is no interlocking of any of therisers, treads, and supports therefor in the aforesaid Walsh patent.

[0006] The aforesaid patent to Walsh also requires ledges on the insideof the base-wall, if it does not extend completely beneath the stepstructure, to support the risers, which have a hollow U-shaped crosssection with a tread on top thereof.

[0007] For the do-it-yourself person, who is not a skilled artisan, thestep assembly of the aforesaid Walsh patent would not be easy to formbecause of the problem of how to support the two base-walls. These wouldbe extremely heavy when made of concrete blocks, for example, as thepresent invention uses in order to be able to have an easy assembly.

[0008] The aforesaid Osborn patent requires the assembly be held by abuilding. This requirement would prevent a do-it-yourself person frombeing able to utilize the structure of the aforesaid Osborn patent.

[0009] In addition, the aforesaid patent to Osborn has a complexarrangement for connecting risers, treads, and stringers to each other.This requires fresh cement to be poured in openings in the bottomsurface of the tread registering with elongated openings in thestringers and an elongated opening in the top of the riser registeringwith a longitudinal opening in the bottom surface of the tread. Thismixed fresh cement is normally not within the capabilities of ado-it-yourself person.

[0010] The step assembly of the aforesaid Ballenger patent also requiresits connection to a building wall through a connector having a hooksupporting the lowermost of the risers. The risers are supported solelyby the treads of adjacent steps except for the lowermost of the risers.This prevents a free-standing step assembly.

[0011] The aforesaid patent to Sherwood has relatively large end restmembers supporting opposite ends of each tread of a step assembly.During assembly, tie rods hold the end rest members together. Mortaralso is required; this is not within the skill of most do-it-yourselfpersons.

[0012] Furthermore, the aforesaid Sherwood patent forms the risers withbrackets to support the bottom of the treads, which are attached to theend rest members. However, there is no connection between the tops ofthe risers and the treads. Thus, the aforesaid patent to Sherwood has arather expensive step assembly that cannot be formed by a do-it-yourselfperson.

[0013] The aforesaid Henderson patent employs hollow concrete blocks onwhich treads may rest with their ends supported by risers, which aresupported by the hollow concrete blocks having vertical throughpassages. The risers and the treads are mortared to each other. Thetreads are supported intermediate two end sets of hollow concrete blocksby straps or plates, which are supported by the risers.

[0014] The aforesaid patent to Henderson lacks any means for properlyaligning the elements together during assembly. Mortar is also required,and this is not satisfactory for a do-it-yourself person. Furthermore,the size of the concrete blocks is larger than any present building codeas to height of a step.

[0015] The aforesaid Summers patent has relatively large side pieces,which would be difficult to handle if formed of concrete, for example,and requires tensioning rods to hold the assembly together. There is nodirect connection of the risers and the treads although there areinterlocking arrangements between the side sections and the treads andbetween the side sections and the risers. Mortar also is required to bein position prior to and after the assembly procedure is completed forthe structure to be substantially integral. There also is a requirementfor a tapered key to hold the tread in a locked position. This is arather complex and expensive assembly. Because of the use of mortar, ado-it-yourself person could not effectively construct the assembly ofthe aforesaid patent to Summers.

[0016] The aforesaid Lemieux patent has stringers with tie rodsconnecting them together. Risers have their bottoms seated in notches inthe stringers as are depending flanges on the rear of the treads. Thereis no interlocking of the treads to the risers or the stringers exceptfor the disposition of the flange on the rear of each of the treadswithin the notch, which also receives the lower end of the risersupporting the tread thereabove.

[0017] The step assembly of the aforesaid patent to Argraves et al hasno interlocking elements and requires both mortar and bolts to hold theassembly together. Mortar or other bonding agent connects a reducedportion of each tread to side members, which are stamped to look likeindividual pieces and have mortar applied in grooves formed thereby.Mortar also is required to be applied over the bolts.

[0018] The present invention satisfactorily overcomes the problems ofthe aforesaid patents through enabling a concrete step assembly to beeasily erected by a do-it-yourself person. There is no requirement formixing with any cement or other materials. Instead, only a constructionadhesive, which may be easily applied by a do-it-yourself person througha caulking gun, is used.

[0019] Furthermore, an interlocking arrangement between the risers andthe treads insures that each of the risers is positively locked or heldin position.

[0020] The concrete elevation assembly of the present invention also maybe formed as a concrete ramp assembly. The ramp assembly employsconcrete support elements with each having only its top surface inclinedand support structures for the concrete elements similar to the supportstructures of the concrete step assembly and having an interlockingarrangement with the concrete support elements.

[0021] The ramp assembly also may be formed with intermediate supportelements disposed on substantially horizontal upper surfaces of concreteblocks with the intermediate support elements having an inclined uppersurface and a horizontal lower surface, which rests on the substantiallyhorizontal upper surface of each of the concrete blocks supporting it.Each of the intermediate support elements has an interlocking relationwith each of the concrete blocks supporting it.

[0022] The inclined upper surface of each of the intermediate supportelements supports planks, which have substantially parallel upper andlower walls. There is an interlocking relation between the inclinedupper surface of each of the intermediate support elements and each ofthe planks supported thereby.

[0023] The invention contemplates preferably using only two differentintermediate support elements with each having the same length. The twodifferent intermediate support elements for the lowest portion of theramp are supported on a single course of concrete blocks at least oneach side of the ramp assembly. The next two different intermediatesupport elements are supported at least on each side on thesubstantially horizontal upper surface of each of the upper courses oftwo courses of concrete blocks. If more than four of the intermediatesupport elements are required at least on each side to support theplanks, the next two different intermediate support elements would besupported on top of three courses of concrete blocks at least on eachside.

[0024] Thus, utilization of an increasing number of courses of staggeredconcrete blocks for each pair of the two different intermediate supportelements enables the use of only two different intermediate supportelements as part of the ramp assembly. This reduces manufacturing costs.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the smaller of the two differentintermediate support elements has a relatively small thickness such as1″, for example, at its thinner end between its inclined upper surfaceand its horizontal lower surface and a thickness of 4″ at its thickerend. The larger of the two different intermediate support elements isformed with the same thickness of 4″, for example, at its thinner endand a thickness of 7″ at its thicker end. Therefore, there is a 3″variation between the ends of each of the two different intermediatesupport elements. By having the adjacent ends of the two differentintermediate support elements with the same thickness, a smooth inclinedsurface is produced by the planks, which preferably have a thickness of2″, supported by the two different intermediate support elements.

[0026] Additionally, because the concrete blocks have a thickness of 6″,the smaller intermediate support element with the 1″ thickness at oneend provides a total of 7″ when disposed on a second course of theconcrete blocks. That is, the concrete block thickness of 6″, plus the1″ thickness at the thinner end of the smaller intermediate supportelement equals the 7″, thickness at the thicker end of the largerintermediate support element against which the thinner end of thesmaller intermediate support element abuts when supported by each of thesecond courses of the staggered concrete blocks.

[0027] The interlocking relation between the concrete blocks and the twodifferent intermediate support elements is preferably provided by asingle, relatively wide projection extending upwardly from thehorizontal upper surface of each of the supporting concrete blocks beingdisposed within a relatively wide channel or groove in the horizontallower surface of the smaller or larger intermediate support element.Similarly, the inclined upper surface of each of the larger and smallerintermediate support elements has a relatively wide projection fordisposition in a relatively wide channel or groove in the lower surfaceof each plank, which it supports, on each side thereof.

[0028] This arrangement of the single projection and channel,symmetrically located, enables the intermediate support elements, theconcrete blocks, and the planks to be interchangeable. This reduces thecosts of manufacture and inventory.

[0029] The concrete blocks are preferably hollow concrete blocks havinga horizontal passage extending therethrough. The walls of the hollowconcrete block between which the through passage extends cannot havetheir tolerances closely controlled. This is because these two wallshave movable elements (a press head and a pallet) of a block machine,which forms the hollow concrete block, pushing on the concrete materialto form the hollow concrete block since all available block machineshave the passage vertically disposed during formation.

[0030] The method of the present invention controls the tolerances ofthe walls parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal throughpassage in the hollow concrete block. As a result, horizontal surfacesof the walls fit against the horizontal bottom surface of theintermediate support elements, which are wet cast, so that there is nospace or gap therebetween requiring mortar to close as is presentlyrequired with hollow concrete blocks having the through passage disposedvertically.

[0031] Likewise, when the hollow concrete blocks are stacked on eachother in a staggered relation, the horizontal surfaces of the engagingwalls of two vertically spaced hollow concrete blocks fit tightlybecause of the controlled tolerances. This allows the hollow concreteblocks to be arranged in stacked courses as supports for the elevationassemblies of the present invention or as a wall without the need of anymortar. That is, when the hollow concrete blocks have previously beenutilized with the through passage vertical as it is formed, thetolerance of neither of the walls, which are horizontal when the passageis vertical, between which the through passage extends can besatisfactorily controlled. As a result, mortar, which requires a skilledartisan for application, has to be utilized to compensate for this lackof tolerance control of the walls defining the top and bottom walls ofeach of the hollow concrete blocks when the through passage is vertical.

[0032] The use of the hollow concrete blocks also reduces the weight informing the supports of the concrete elevation assemblies of the presentinvention. The hollow concrete blocks are much easier to handle thansolid concrete blocks because of the reduced weight.

[0033] It has previously been suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,276 toCaputo et al to dispose hollow concrete blocks with passages extendinghorizontally therethrough. The aforesaid Caputo et al patent alsorecognized the need to avoid the use of mortar in joining the hollowconcrete blocks to each other to form a plurality of staggered coursesof the hollow concrete blocks forming a masonry wall, for example, toenable an unskilled person to erect the wall.

[0034] In the aforesaid Caputo et al patent, a top surface of each ofthe hollow concrete blocks has an arcuate central portion forming anarcuate tongue for cooperation with an arcuate groove in the same areaof the bottom surface of a hollow concrete block thereabove. Each of thetop and bottom surfaces includes a substantially flat surface on eachside between which the arcuate tongue or arcuate groove extends. Theflat surfaces on the top surface of one of the hollow concrete blocksengage the corresponding flat surfaces on the bottom surface of thehollow concrete block thereabove.

[0035] Prior to placing a hollow concrete block on top of a lower hollowconcrete block in the aforesaid Caputo et al patent, an adhesive mortaris preferably laid in beads on the substantially flat surfaces of thetop surface. Alternatively, the adhesive mortar could be applied inseparate and discrete globs or with brushes, knives, or rollers.

[0036] While the aforesaid Caputo et al patent recognized that theadhesive mortar must be applied in minimal quantities so that no excessappears on the outer surfaces of the hollow concrete block or in thejoints between the hollow concrete blocks, there is no explanation ofhow this minimum quantity can be controlled and still obtain goodadherence between the hollow concrete blocks. For example, if more thana very slight amount of the adhesive mortar is applied, thesubstantially flat surfaces on the adjacent vertically stacked hollowconcrete blocks will not touch each other but have at least a minimumspace therebetween. If not enough of the adhesive mortar is applied toinsure that the substantially flat surfaces engage, there may not besufficient adhesive to join the hollow concrete blocks.

[0037] The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems of theaforesaid Caputo et al patent through controlling the height of theprojection relative to the depth of the channel or groove in which theprojection is disposed when two of the hollow concrete blocks arevertically stacked on each other. By controlling the spacing between thetop of the projection and the base of the channel or groove, the amountof adhesive utilized to join the adjacent vertically disposed hollowconcrete blocks is controlled.

[0038] Additionally, the present invention locates the area in which theadhesive is applied away from the outer surfaces of the hollow concreteblock rather than adjacent thereto as in the aforesaid Caputo et alpatent. This avoids the problem of the aforesaid Caputo et al patent ofthe engaging substantially flat surfaces of the adjacent verticallydisposed hollow concrete blocks not having complete contact with eachother. Furthermore, since the present invention controls the tolerancesof these engaging flat surfaces, there will always be engagementtherebetween because the amount of adhesive between the top of theprojection and the base of the channel or groove is controlled.

[0039] An object of this invention is to provide a concrete stepassembly capable of being assembled by an unskilled person.

[0040] Another object of this invention is to provide a concrete rampassembly capable of being assembled by an unskilled person.

[0041] A further object of this invention is to provide a ramp assemblyrequiring only four different parts irrespective of the length of theramp assembly.

[0042] Still another object of this invention is to provide a rampassembly requiring only two different inclined elements irrespective ofthe length of the ramp assembly.

[0043] A still further object of this invention is to provide a methodfor forming a hollow concrete block with relatively close tolerances ofits walls parallel to the longitudinal axis of its through passage.

[0044] Yet another object of this invention is to use hollow concreteblocks as the supports for a concrete elevation assembly.

[0045] Other objects of this invention will be readily perceived fromthe following description, claims, and drawings.

[0046] The attached drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of theinvention, in which:

[0047]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a concrete step assembly of thepresent invention;

[0048]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a tread of the concrete stepassembly of FIG. 1;

[0049]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a riser of the concrete stepassembly of FIG. 1;

[0050]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the riser of FIG. 3 andtaken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0051]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a solid concrete block usedas part of a support of the concrete step assembly of FIG. 1;

[0052]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the solid concrete block ofFIG. 5 and taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0053]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a portion of a concrete stepassembly in which the treads do not extend beyond the risers;

[0054]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of another form of riser inwhich the tread does not extend beyond the riser;

[0055]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a ramp assembly utilizingsolid concrete blocks as supports for reinforced concrete slabs formingthe ramp with the leftmost solid concrete block shown in phantom forclarity purposes and the adjacent solid cement block broken away forclarity purposes;

[0056]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a front ramp slab of the fourramp slabs forming the ramp or a portion thereof depending on itslength;

[0057]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rear ramp slab of the fourramp slabs forming the ramp or a portion thereof depending on itslength;

[0058]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a ramp slab next to the frontramp slab of FIG. 10 and looking at the slab inverted and from itsfront;

[0059]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of another form of aconcrete ramp assembly of the present invention;

[0060]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the remainder of the concreteramp assembly of FIG. 13;

[0061]FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of a plank of the concrete rampassembly of FIG. 13;

[0062]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of two hollow concrete blocks in astacked relation for forming supports for the concrete elevationassemblies of the present invention;

[0063]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a hollow concrete block utilizedto form a wall and from which two of the hollow concrete blocks of FIG.16 are preferably formed;

[0064]FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of portions of a block machinefor forming the hollow concrete block of FIG. 17;

[0065]FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a mold box of a block machine usedto form the hollow concrete block of FIG. 17;

[0066]FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the mold box of FIG. 19;

[0067]FIG. 21 is an end elevational view of the mold box of FIG. 19 andtaken along line 21-21 of FIG. 19;

[0068]FIG. 22 is a top plan view of four cores used in the mold box ofFIG. 19 and two core bars for supporting the four cores;

[0069]FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of one of the core bars and thetwo cores supported thereby;

[0070]FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a portion of a press head of theblock machine having shoes to engage concrete within the mold box ofFIG. 19 during formation of the hollow concrete blocks of FIG. 17;

[0071]FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a wall formed with the hollowconcrete blocks of FIG. 17;

[0072]FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a rampassembly;

[0073]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a smaller intermediate supportelement of the ramp assembly of FIG. 26;

[0074]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a larger intermediate supportelement of the ramp assembly of FIG. 26; and

[0075]FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a portion of the ramp assembly ofFIG. 26 and showing two planks supported on opposite sides by thesmaller intermediate support elements.

[0076] Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is showna step assembly 10 having a plurality of treads 11 and an equal numberof risers 12 cooperating therewith. Each of the treads 11 and the risers12 is formed of reinforced concrete in which at least one reinforcingbar is embedded in the concrete.

[0077] Each of the treads 11 has an upper surface 14 and a lower surface15, which is substantially parallel to a main portion 15′ of the uppersurface 14. While the upper surface 14 is curved along its edges to formthe main portion 15′, the surfaces 14 and 15 are substantially planar.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface 15 of the tread 11 has alongitudinal receptacle 16 formed therein and terminating prior to eachside of the tread 11. The lower surface 15 also has two substantiallyparallel transverse receptacles 17 and 18 communicating with thelongitudinal receptacle 16 and extending substantially perpendicularthereto from a rear edge 19 of the tread 11.

[0079] The longitudinal receptacle 16 receives a longitudinal projection20 (see FIG. 3) extending upwardly from a flat upper surface 21 of theriser 12. The flat upper surface 21 of the riser 12 has a substantiallygreater horizonal surface area than the longitudinal projection 20. Theflat upper surface 21 of the riser 12 preferably has a horizonal surfacearea at least seven times greater than the horizonal surface area of thelongitudinal projection 20.

[0080] The longitudinal projection 20 of the riser 12 not only has atight fit within the longitudinal receptacle 16 (see FIG. 2) in thetread 11 but also is positively retained therein by a constructionadhesive, which is designed for use with concrete. The preferredconstruction adhesive is sold by Keystone Retaining Walls Systems,Inc.,4444 West 78th Street, Minneapolis, Minn. under the trade name Kapsealadhesive.

[0081] The concrete step assembly 10 (see FIG. 1) includes a pair ofsupports 23 (one shown), which are substantially parallel to each otherand support opposite sides of each of the treads 11 and the risers 12.Each of the supports 23 is the same and includes a plurality of solidconcrete blocks 24 arranged in staggered relation to form a plurality ofsubstantially horizontal upper surfaces 25, 26, and 27, for example, ofeach of the supports 23. The number of the substantially horizontalupper surfaces 25, 26, and 27 would equal the number of the steps in theconcrete step assembly 10. Each of the substantially upper horizontalsurfaces 25, 26, and 27 of one of the supports 23 is in the same planeas the same substantially horizontal upper surface of the other of thesupports 23.

[0082] The support 23 has three of the solid concrete blocks 24 formingits bottom row, one of the solid concrete blocks 24 and a half of eachof two of the solid concrete blocks 24 forming its intermediate row, andone of the solid concrete blocks 24 forming its top row. Theintermediate row could have two of the solid concrete blocks 24 but thepreferred form is that shown to provide a better aesthetic appearance.

[0083] Each of the solid concrete blocks 24 has a stone face 30. Thisalso is for aesthetic appearance.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 6, the solid concrete block 24 has a projection31 extending upwardly from its upper surface 32. As shown in FIG. 5, theprojection 31 extends for the entire length of the solid concrete block24 and four-fifths of the width of the solid concrete block 24 as shownin FIG. 6.

[0085] The solid concrete block 24 also has a groove 33 in its bottomsurface 34 extending for the same width as the projection 31 and formedto receive the projection 31 on the upper surface 32 of the solidconcrete block 24 therebeneath. As shown in FIG. 5, the groove 33 alsoextends for the length.

[0086] The solid concrete blocks 24 (see FIG. 1) in the intermediate rowof each of the supports 23 has the grooves 33 (see FIG. 6) receive theprojections 31 on the solid concrete blocks 24 in the bottom row. Thesame arrangement exists between the top row and the intermediate row.The construction adhesive is utilized to retain the projections 31 inthe grooves 33.

[0087] Each of the transverse receptacles 17 (see FIG. 2) and 18 in thelower surface 15 of each of the treads 11 receives a portion of theprojection 31 (see FIG. 6) on one of the solid concrete blocks 24forming the substantially horizontal upper surfaces 25 (see FIG. 1), 26,and 27 of each of the supports 23. The projections 31 (see FIG. 6) onthe solid concrete blocks 24 are held in the transverse receptacles 17(see FIG. 2) and 18 in the lower surface 15 of each of the treads 11 bythe construction adhesive.

[0088] The portions of the projections 31 (see FIG. 6) on the solidconcrete blocks 24 forming the substantially horizontal upper surfaces26 (see FIG. 1) and 27 of each of the supports 23 abut the longitudinalprojection 20 (see FIG. 3) extending from the flat upper surface 21 ofeach of the risers 12 resting on the substantially horizontal uppersurfaces 25 (see FIG. 1) and 26 and disposed within the longitudinalreceptacle 16 (see FIG. 2) in the lower surface 15 of the tread 11resting on the riser 12.

[0089] Each of the risers 12 (see FIG. 4) has a pair of slots 35 and 36formed in its lower surface 37 to receive the remaining portion of theprojection 31 (see FIG. 6) on one of the solid concrete blocks 24 ofeach of the supports 23 on which the lower surface 37 (see FIG. 4) ofthe riser 12 rests. The projections 31 (see FIG. 6) on the solidconcrete blocks 24 are held in the slots 35 (see FIG. 4) and 36 formedin the lower surface 37 of the riser 12 by the construction adhesive.

[0090] This arrangement holds the longitudinal projection 20 (see FIG.4) on the riser 12 against a surface or wall 38 (see FIG. 2) of thelongitudinal receptacle 16 in the lower surface 15 of the tread 11.Without this arrangement, the riser 12 (see FIG. 1) might not beretained in its desired position on each of the supports 23.

[0091] The lowermost of the risers 12 (see FIG. 1) does not rest on oneof the supports 23 but abuts an end surface 39 of the solid concreteblock 24 of each of the supports 23 having the upper surface 32 (seeFIG. 6) constitute the substantially horizontal upper surface 25 (seeFIG. 1) of each of the supports 23. The lowermost of the risers 12 restson crushed stone, for example.

[0092] As an example, the tread 11 (see FIG. 2) has a length of 48″, athickness of 2″, and extends for 12 ½″ from its front to its back. Thelongitudinal receptacle 16 in the bottom surface 15 of the tread 11extends for 44″. Each of the transverse receptacles 17 and 18 in thebottom surface 15 of the tread 11 has a length of 6″, and a width of 4″.

[0093] The riser 12 (see FIG. 3) has a length of 46″ and a height of 6½″. The width of the riser 12 is 2″ with the longitudinal projection 20having a width of ¼″, and the flat upper surface 21 of the riser 12having a width of 1 ¾″. Each of the slots 35 (see FIG. 4) and 36 in thelower surface 37 of the riser 12 is 4″ wide. The slots 35 and 36 extendfor the entire length of the riser 12.

[0094] Each of the solid concrete blocks 24 (see FIG. 5) has a length of11 ½″, a height of 6″, and a depth of 5″. Each of the projections 31(see FIG. 6) on the solid concrete blocks 24 and each of the grooves 33in the solid concrete blocks 24 have a width of 4″ and extend for 11 ½″.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a portion of a concrete stepassembly 40 in which a tread 41 does not extend beyond a riser 42 buthas its front end 43 aligned with a front surface 44 of the riser 42.One means of forming this arrangement is to thicken a portion of theriser 42 to form the front surface 44 so that it is in the same verticalplane as the front end 43 of the tread 41. As an example, the thickenedportion of the riser 42 would be 2 ⅝″ and a bottom portion 45 of theriser 42 would be 2″ thick and extend upwardly for 2″. The riser 42would still extend for the same height as the riser 12 (see FIG. 3) andwould have a longitudinal projection 46 (see FIG. 7) of the same widthas the longitudinal projection 20 (see FIG. 3) on the riser 12.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a riser 50 having itsthickness increase along a curved surface 51 from its bottom surface 52prior to reaching its upper flat surface 53 on which the tread 41 wouldrest. The upper flat surface 53 would extend for 2 ⅜″ from itslongitudinal projection 54, which has a width of ¼″. In thisarrangement, the tread 41 would not extend beyond the flat upper surface53 of the riser 50.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a concrete ramp assembly 59formed of four reinforced concrete slabs 60, 61, 62, and 63. Each of theslabs 60-63 increases the elevation of the ramp formed thereby so thatthere is an elevation increase of 5.5″, from the front of the slab 60 tothe rear of the slab 63.

[0098] The slab 60 has an elevation increase of 11, while each of theslabs 61-63 increases 1.5″. The slab 60 has its front end raised 0.5″,to avoid chipping of its lip by traffic passing over it.

[0099] Each of the slabs 60, 61, 62, and 63, respectively, has itsentire top surface 64, 65, 66, and 67, respectively, inclined at thesame angle. Thus, the top surfaces 64-67 form a continuous inclinedsurface of the ramp assembly 59.

[0100] Each of the slabs 60, 61, 62, and 63, respectively, has a middleportion 68, 69, 70, and 71, respectively, of its bottom surface 72, 73,74, and 75, respectively, inclined at the same angle as the top surfaces64, 65, 66, and 67, respectively. Therefore, each of the middle portions68, 69, 70, and 71, respectively, of the bottom surfaces 72, 73, 74, and75, respectively, is substantially parallel to the top surfaces 64, 65,66, and 67, respectively.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 10, the slab 60 rests on a pair of the solidconcrete blocks 24. The longitudinal projection 31 on each of the solidconcrete blocks 24 extends into one of a pair of longitudinalreceptacles, which are slots 76 in outer portions 77 of the bottomsurface 68 and extending the length of the slab 60. Each of the slots 76has its upper surface 78, which is substantially horizontal, engagingthe top of the longitudinal projection 31 on one of the solid concreteblocks 24.

[0102] Each of the outer portions 77 of the bottom surface 68 of theslab 60 rests on the upper surface 32 of one of the solid concreteblocks 24. Thus, the bottom surface 72 of the slab 60 has the outerportions 77 and the upper surfaces 78 of the slots 76 formingsubstantially horizontal surfaces and the middle portion 68 forming aninclined surface parallel to the top surface 64 (see FIG. 9) of the slab60.

[0103] The slabs 61-63 also are supported on the solid concrete blocks24 with each of the solid concrete blocks 24 having their upper surfaces32 in the same substantially horizontal plane and the top surfaces ofthe longitudinal projections 31 in the same substantially horizontalplane. Accordingly, in the same manner as the slab 60, each of thebottom surfaces 73, 74, and 75, respectively, of the slabs 61, 62, and63, respectively, has its outer portions 79, 80, and 81, respectively,substantially horizontal.

[0104] Furthermore, each of the slabs 60, 61, 62, and 63 must have aminimum thickness of 2″ between the top surfaces 64, 65, 66, and 67,respectively, and the middle portions 68, 69, 70, and 71, respectively,of the bottom surfaces 72, 73, 74, and 75, respectively, to providesufficient reinforced concrete for support of a user of a ramp formed bythe slabs 60-63. Because of this requirement, the distance between thetop surface 64 and the middle portion 68 of the bottom surface 72 of theslab 60 is sufficiently thick, as shown in FIG. 10, to form thelongitudinal slots 76.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 11, there is no receptacle in the bottom surface75 of the slab 63 to receive the longitudinal projections 31 of thesolid concrete blocks 24. This is because there is sufficient thickness(4.5″) between the inclined top surface 67 and the inclined middleportion 71 of the bottom surface 75 of the slab 63. The slab 62 (seeFIG. 9) has this arrangement too since its minimum thickness between theinclined top surface 66 and the inclined middle portion 70 of the bottomsurface 74 is 3″.

[0106] However, the slab 61 has its thickness vary from 1.5″, at itsfront or lower end to 3″ at its rear or upper end. The two outerportions 79 (see FIG. 12) of the bottom surface 73 rest on the solidconcrete blocks 24 (see FIG. 9) therebeneath throughout their lengths.

[0107] There is an increased thickness at the front or lower end of themiddle portion 69 of the bottom surface 73 (see FIG. 12) of the slab 61so that the front of the middle portion 69 of the bottom surface 73 hasa thickness of 2″. Thus, the increased thickness at the front of themiddle portion 69 of the bottom surface 73 of the slab 61 createslongitudinal receptacles 82 corresponding to the longitudinalreceptacles 76 (see FIG. 10) in the slab 60. This is because the middleportion 69 (see FIG. 12) of the bottom surface 73 of the slab 61 islower than the outer portions 79 of the bottom surface 73.

[0108] It should be understood that more than one set of the slabs 60-63may be used to form the ramp. It also is not necessary for the last setof the slabs 60-63 to include all four of the slabs 60-63 as this woulddepend upon the length of the ramp.

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown a concrete rampassembly 90 using the solid concrete blocks 24 as the base of supports91 and 92 on opposite sides of the concrete ramp assembly 90. Thesupport 91 (see FIG. 13) has a coping 93 supported on top of the solidconcrete blocks 24, and the support 92 (see FIG. 14) has a coping 94supported on top of the solid concrete blocks 24.

[0110] The coping 93 (see FIG. 13) has a longitudinal receptacle 95 inits substantially horizontal bottom surface 96 to receive thelongitudinal projection 31 extending upwardly from each of the solidconcrete blocks 24. Similarly, the coping 94 (see FIG. 14) has alongitudinal receptacle 97 in its substantially horizontal bottomsurface 98 to receive the longitudinal projection 31 extending upwardlyfrom each of the solid concrete blocks 24.

[0111] The coping 93 (see FIG. 13) has a longitudinal projection 99extending upwardly from its inclined upper surface 100. Likewise, thecoping 94 (see FIG. 14) has a longitudinal projection 101 extendingupwardly from its inclined upper surface 102. Each of the inclined uppersurfaces 100 (see FIG. 13) and 102 (see FIG. 14) is inclined at the sameangle as the inclined support surface of the ramp assembly 59 (see FIG.9).

[0112] As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality (two shown) of planks 103 issupported on the inclined upper surfaces 100 and 102 (see FIG. 14). Asshown in FIG. 15, each of the planks 103 has a pair of paralleltransverse slots 104 and 105 in its bottom surface 106.

[0113] One of the transverse slots 104 and 105 of each of the planks 103receives a portion of the longitudinal projection 99 (see FIG. 13) onthe inclined upper surface 100 of the coping 93. The other of thetransverse slots 104 and 105 of each of the planks 103 receives aportion of the longitudinal projection 101 (see FIG. 14) on the inclinedupper surface 102 of the coping 94.

[0114] The plank 103 (see FIG. 13) has its top surface 107 substantiallyparallel to the bottom surface 106. Thus, the inclination of the supportsurface of the ramp assembly 90 for a user is determined by the angle ofthe inclined upper surfaces 102 (see FIG. 14) and 104 (see FIG. 13),which have the same angle. It should be understood that there arepreferably four of the planks 103 supported by the supports 91 and 92(see FIG. 14). However, there could be less than four of the planks 103(see FIG. 13) or more than four of the planks 103, if desired.

[0115] Instead of using the solid concrete blocks 24 (see FIG. 1) forforming each of the supports 23, 91 (see FIG. 13), and 92 (see FIG. 14),hollow concrete blocks 110 (see FIG. 16) may be employed to form thesupports 23 (see FIG. 1), 91 (see FIG. 13), and 92 (see FIG. 14). Thehollow concrete block 110 (see FIG. 16) has a passage 111 extendingtherethrough between end walls 112 and 113.

[0116] Each of a top wall 114, a bottom wall 115, and side walls 116 and117 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of thethrough passage 111. The tolerance of each of the four walls 114-117 maybe very closely controlled when forming the hollow concrete block 110with the through passage 111 formed vertically as is required bypresently available block machines.

[0117] Therefore, when one of the hollow concrete blocks 110 is disposedon top of another, the top wall 114 of the lower hollow concrete block110 abuts the bottom wall 115 of the higher hollow concrete block 110without any space therebetween because of the closely controlledtolerances of the walls 114 and 115. This eliminates the requirement formortar to join the stacked hollow concrete blocks 110 together as isrequired if the through passage 111 were vertically disposed. This isbecause the tolerance of neither of the end walls 112 and 113, whichwould be the top and bottom walls if the through passage 111 werevertically disposed, can be closely controlled when the hollow concreteblocks 110 are formed with the passage 111 disposed vertically.

[0118] The hollow concrete blocks 110 are preferably formed by splittinga hollow concrete block 118 (see FIG. 17) along a V-shaped score line119 in each of the top wall 114 and the bottom wall 115 of the hollowconcrete block 118 into two of the hollow concrete blocks 110 (see FIG.16). A hydraulic block splitter is preferably employed to split thehollow concrete block 118 (see FIG. 17).

[0119] Each of the hollow concrete blocks 118 as preferably formed withtwo projections 120 extending upwardly from the top wall 114 and twochannels or grooves 121 in the bottom wall 115. There also are two ofthe passages 111 extending between the walls 112 and 113 in the hollowconcrete block 118.

[0120] When used as part of a wall 122 (see FIG. 25), the stability ofthe wall 122 is increased by the disposition of the two projections 120of the hollow concrete block 118 within the two channels or grooves 121in the bottom wall 115 of the hollow concrete block 118 thereabove whenstacked on each other.

[0121] The hollow concrete block 118 (see FIG. 17) is preferably formedby a block machine sold as model V3-12 by Besser Equipment Company,Alpina, Mich. The block machine includes a vertically movable press head125 (see FIG. 18), a stationary mold box 126, and a vertically movablesteel pallet 127. The press head 125 and the steel pallet 127 aremovable vertically relative to the stationary mold box 126 and to eachother.

[0122] The mold box 126 includes two metal side frames 128 (see FIG. 19)and 129 joined together by two metal end frames 130 and 131. Bolts 131′connect the two end frames 130 and 131 to the two side frames 128 and129. A metal divider plate 132 extends between the side frames 128 and129 and is attached to each by bolts 133.

[0123] End liners 134 and 135, which are formed of metal, are attachedto the end frames 130 and 131, respectively, by bolts 136. Each of theend liners 134 and 135 extends above the side frames 128 and 129 asshown in FIG. 20.

[0124] The end liner 135 (see FIG. 21) has lugs thereon for dispositionin a recess 135′ in the end frame 131. A similar arrangement existsbetween the end liner 134 (see FIG. 19) and the end frame 130.

[0125] Four fillers 137, which are formed of metal, are utilized withtwo of the fillers 137 disposed between the end liner 134 and thedivider plate 132. The other two fillers 137 are positioned between theend liner 135 and the divider plate 132.

[0126] Four metal plates 137A are disposed between each of the fourfillers 137 and one of the end frames 128 and 129 to fill the gapstherebetween. Two of the four metal plates 137A extend between thedivider plate 132 and the liner 134, and the other two of the four metalplates 137A extend between the divider plate 132 and the liner 135. Eachof the four plates 137A is attached to one of the end frames 128 and 129by shoulder bolts 137B extending through passages 137C in each of theend frames 128 and 129 into tapped holes in the four metal plates 137A.

[0127] Three metal side liners 138, 139, and 140 are positioned betweenthe end liner 134 and the divider plate 132. Each of the side liners138-140 has lugs on its ends retained in recesses or slots (not shown)in the end liner 134 and the divider plate 132 and attached thereto bybolts (not shown).

[0128] Three additional metal side liners 141, 142, and 143 are disposedbetween the end liner 135 and the divider plate 132. Each of the sideliners 141-143 has lugs on its ends retained in recesses or slots 144(see FIG. 21) in the end liner 135 and in recesses or slots (not shown)in the divider plate 132 (see FIG. 19).

[0129] Bolts 145 (see FIG. 21) attach the lugs on one end of each of theside liners 141-143 (see FIG. 19) to the end liner 135. Bolts (notshown) attach the lugs on the other end of each of the side liners141-143 to the divider plate 132.

[0130] Accordingly, there are four areas in the mold box 126 in whichthe hollow concrete blocks 118 (see FIG. 17) may be formed. These arebetween the side liners 138 (see FIG. 19) and 139, the side liners 139and 140, the side liners 141 and 142, and the side liners 142 and 143.Each of the side liners 138-143 has V-shaped projections 146 on oppositesides to form the score lines 119 (see FIG. 17) on the top wall 114 andthe bottom wall 115 of each of the hollow concrete blocks 118. Each ofthe side liners 138-143 (see FIG. 19) may have its tolerances veryclosely controlled to control the tolerances of the top wall 114 (seeFIG. 17) and the bottom wall 115 of the hollow concrete block 118.

[0131] To form the hollow passages 111 in the hollow concrete block 118,two cores 150 (see FIG. 22) are disposed in fixed positions within eachof the four areas in which one of the hollow concrete blocks 118 (seeFIG. 17) is formed. A core bar 151 (see FIG. 22) supports two of thecores 150. A core bar 152 also supports two of the cores 150.

[0132] Because eight of the cores 150 are needed, there are two of thecore bars 151 and two of the core bars 152. One of each of the core bars151 and 152 overlies the two areas between the end frame 130 (see FIG.19) and the divider plate 132. Another of each of the core bars 151 (seeFIG. 22) and 152 overlies the two areas between the end frame 131 (seeFIG. 19) and the divider plate 132.

[0133] Each of the core bars 151 (see FIG. 22) and 152 has tapped holes153 (see FIG. 23) in its two depending portions 154 for attachment tothe end frames 128 (see FIG. 19) and 129 of the mold box 126. Each ofthe core bars 151 (see FIG. 22) and 152 has one of the dependingportions 154 (see FIG. 23) disposed in a passage 155 (see FIG. 20) inthe end frame 128 and the other of the depending portions 154 (see FIG.23) disposed in a passage 156 (see FIG. 19) in the end frame 129. Ashoulder bolt (not shown) extends from the bottom end of the passage 155(see FIG. 20) and into the tapped hole 153 (see FIG. 23) to attach thecore bar 151 to the end frame 128 (see FIG. 19). A similar arrangementis employed with the end frame 129. The core bars 152 (see FIG. 22) aresimilarly attached. While there are eight of the passages 155 (see FIG.20) in the end frame 128 and eight of the passages 156 (see FIG. 19) inthe end frame 129, only four of the passages 155 (see FIG. 20) and fourof the passages 156 (see FIG. 19) are utilized since there are only twoof the core bars 151 (see FIG. 22) and two of the core bars 152.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 23, the cores 150 are tapered from their upperends to enable easier removal of the formed hollow concrete blocks 118(see FIG. 17) from the mold box 126 (see FIG. 19). This causes thepassages 111 (see FIG. 17) to be tapered.

[0135] The press head 125 (see FIG. 24) has a head plate 160 attachedthereto for movement therewith in vertical directions. The head plate160 has a plurality of shoes 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, and 166 retainedin spaced relation to the head plate 160 by steel support shafts 167.

[0136] Each of the steel support shafts 167 has a male thread on itsreduced lower end for disposition within a tapped hole in one of theshoes 161-166. The upper end of each of the steel support shafts 167 isa reduced portion 167A (see FIG. 18) disposed in a passage 167B in thehead plate 160. The reduced portion 167A has a tapped hole to receive ashoulder bolt 167C in the passage 167B for attaching the steel supportshaft 167 to the head plate 160. This enables each of the shoes 161-166to move with the press head 125.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 24, the diameter of each of the steel supportshafts 167 attached to the shoes 162 and 165 is larger than thediameters of the steel support shafts 167 attached to the shoes 161,163, 164, and 166. The steel support shafts 167 attached to the shoes161, 163, 164, and 166 are of two different diameters.

[0138] Each of the two shoes 161 cooperates with a portion of one of thetwo shoes 162 to form a first cylindrical opening 168 in each of the twoareas between the end frame 130 (see FIG. 19) and the divider plate 132in which one of the hollow concrete blocks 118 (see FIG. 17) is formedto receive one of the cores 150 (see FIG. 22) on one of the core bars151. Each of the two shoes 163 (see FIG. 24) cooperates with theremaining portion of one of the shoes 162 to form a second cylindricalopening 169 in each of the two areas to receive one of the cores 150(see FIG. 22) on one of the core bars 152.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 24, each of the two shoes 161 is spaced from theportion of one of the two shoes 162 with which it cooperates to receiveone of the core bars 151 (see FIG. 22). Each of the two shoes 163 (seeFIG. 24) is spaced from the remaining portion of one of the two shoes162 with which it cooperates to receive one of the core bars 152 (seeFIG. 22).

[0140] The shoes 164-166 (see FIG. 24) similarly cooperate with eachother and the cores 150 (see FIG. 22) on the other of each of the corebars 151 and 152 in the same manner as described for the shoes 161-163(see FIG. 24). The shoes 164-166 are disposed in the two areas betweenthe end frame 131 (see FIG. 19) and the divider plate 132.

[0141] The steel pallet 127 (see FIG. 18) is moved upwardly to close thebottom of the mold box 126 when concrete material is deposited in thewell-known manner within the top of the mold box 126. Then, the presshead 125 is moved downwardly so that the shoes 161-166 will force theconcrete material within the mold box 126 downwardly to compress it andform the four hollow concrete blocks 118 (see FIG. 17).

[0142] When the hollow concrete block 110 (see FIG. 16) is used as partof a support for a ramp assembly 170 (see FIG. 26), each of the twohollow concrete blocks 110 (see FIG. 16) has one of the projections 120extending upwardly from the top wall 114 and one of the channels 121formed in the bottom wall 115. It should be understood that the hollowconcrete blocks 110 could be formed separately, if desired.

[0143] When the hollow concrete blocks 110 are used in place of thesolid concrete blocks 24 (see FIG. 1) of the supports 23, 91 (see FIG.13), and 92 (see FIG. 14), for example, each of the hollow concreteblocks 110 (see FIG. 16) would be formed in the shape shown for thesolid concrete blocks 24 (see FIG. 1). It should be understood that thecomponents used with the solid concrete blocks 24 could be modified sothat the hollow concrete block 110 (see FIG. 16) could be used with itsshape of FIG. 16.

[0144] Each of the projections 120 preferably extends upwardly from thetop wall 114 a slightly smaller distance than the depth of each of thechannels or grooves 121 in the bottom wall 115. This produces a space orrecess 173 formed between the top of each of the projections 120 and thebase of each of the channels or grooves 121 in the hollow concrete block110 thereabove when the projection 120 is disposed in the channel orgroove 121.

[0145] This allows a controlled height of construction adhesive to beeasily disposed in each of the spaces or recesses 173. The controlledheight is between the top of the projection 120 and the base of thechannel or groove 121. Accordingly, an unskilled user may easily adherethe stacked hollow concrete blocks 118 (see FIG. 17) to each other toform the wall 122 (see FIG. 25) or the stacked hollow concrete blocks110 (see FIG. 16) to each other for use as the supports 23 (see FIG. 1),91 (see FIG. 13), and 92 (see FIG. 14).

[0146] Each of the hollow concrete blocks 110 (see FIG. 16) or 118 (seeFIG. 17) preferably has the projection 120 extend 0.250″ above the upperwall 114 and has the channel or groove 121 in the bottom wall 115 formedwith a depth of 0.281″. This provides the space or recess 173 (see FIG.16) with a height of 0.031″ for the construction adhesive joining theadjacent vertically stacked hollow concrete blocks 110. The tolerancesof the projection 120 and the channel or groove 121 are closelycontrolled so that the maximum height of the recess 173 is {fraction(1/16)}″.

[0147] It should be understood that the preferred Kapseal constructionadhesive is sold in a tube having a tapered outlet spout with indicia onits exterior to indicate the inner diameter of the tapered spout alongits length. This enables a user to control the diameter of the adhesiveto be dispensed by cutting the spout at the selected indicia. Thus, abead of the Kapseal construction adhesive of a specific diameter such as⅜″, for example, could be applied to each of the projections 120.

[0148] It should be understood that the projection 120 preferably has awidth of 41, and the channel 121 has a width of 4.062″ However, none ofthe adhesive in the space or recess 173 flows into the space between thesides of the projection 120 and the sides of the channel or groove 121because of the high viscosity of the adhesive and the substantial width(4″, for example) of the projection 120 in comparison with the diameterof the adhesive bead.

[0149] Thus, the bead is thicker than the height of the recess 173 butmuch narrower. However, the ⅜″ diameter of the bead of adhesive issufficient to join the adjacent hollow concrete blocks 110.

[0150] The ramp assembly 170 (see FIG. 26) includes a smallerintermediate support element 174 and a larger intermediate supportelement 175. The smaller intermediate support element 174 preferably hasvertical score lines 176 (see FIG. 27) thereon for aesthetic purposes,and the larger intermediate support element 175 (see FIG. 28) preferablyhas vertical score lines 177 thereon for aesthetic purposes althougheach of the score lines 176 (see FIG. 27) and 177 (see FIG. 28) may beomitted, if desired. The hollow concrete blocks 110 form supports 178(see FIG. 26) for the smaller intermediate support elements 174 and thelarger intermediate support elements 175.

[0151] By forming each of the supports 178 with only one course of thehollow concrete blocks 110 initially and then forming two staggeredcourses of the hollow concrete blocks 110 next, only the smallerintermediate support element 174 and the larger intermediate supportelement 175 are required. This is because the smaller intermediatesupport element 174 has an inclined upper surface 179 (see FIG. 27)spaced 1″, from its substantially horizontal bottom surface 180 at itsthinner end and spaced 4″ from the substantially horizontal bottomsurface 180 at its thicker end.

[0152] By forming the larger intermediate support element 175 (see FIG.28) with its inclined upper surface 181 spaced 4″, from itssubstantially horizontal bottom surface 182 at its thinner end, theinclined upper surface 181 of the larger intermediate support element175 forms a continuation of the inclined upper surface 179 (see FIG. 27)of the smaller intermediate support element 174. The inclined uppersurface 181 (see FIG. 28) has the same inclined angle to the horizontalas the inclined upper surface 179 (see FIG. 27) of the smallerintermediate support element 174. The inclined upper surface 181 (seeFIG. 28) of the larger intermediate support element 175 is disposed 7″from the substantially horizontal bottom surface 182 at its thicker end.

[0153] Therefore, when a second course of the hollow concrete blocks 110(see FIG. 26), which have a thickness of 6″, is disposed on the firstcourse of the hollow concrete blocks 110 in staggered relation thereto,the 1″ thick end of the smaller intermediate support element 174 abutsthe uppermost inch of the 7″ end surface of the larger intermediatesupport element 175. This arrangement aligns the inclined upper surface179 of the smaller intermediate support element 174 on the second coursewith the inclined upper surface 181 of the larger intermediate supportelement 175 on the first course.

[0154] After the next of the larger intermediate support elements 175 isdisposed on the top wall 114 (see FIG. 16) of the hollow concrete blocks110 forming the second course to provide the second substantiallyhorizontal upper surface, a third course of the hollow concrete blocks110 is disposed in staggered relation to the second course. This isrepeated until the desired length of the ramp assembly 170 (see FIG. 26)is reached. It should be understood that the smaller intermediatesupport element 174 may be the last of the intermediate support elementsdepending on the desired length.

[0155] Each of the smaller intermediate support elements 174 (see FIG.27) has a relatively wide channel or groove 183 formed in thesubstantially horizontal bottom surface 180 to receive the projection120 on the top wall 114 of each of the hollow concrete blocks 110 onwhich it is supported. The depth of the channel or groove 183 is madelarger than the distance that the projection 120 extends upwardly fromthe top wall 114 of the hollow concrete block 110 in the same manner asdiscussed with respect to the channel or groove 121 in the hollowconcrete block 110. Adhesive is similarly disposed in a recess of acontrolled size formed between the projection 120 and the channel orgroove 183.

[0156] Each of the smaller intermediate support elements 174 has arelatively wide projection 185 extending upwardly from the inclinedupper surface 179. When a plank 186 (see FIG. 29), which is preferably2″ thick and has its upper surface 187 substantially parallel to itsbottom surface 188, is supported at least on each side on one of thesmaller intermediate support elements 174, channels or grooves 189 and190 in the bottom surface 188 receive the projection 185. Each of thechannels or grooves 189 and 190 in the bottom surface 188 of the plank186 has a greater depth than the distance that the projection 185extends upwardly from the inclined upper surface 179 of the smallerintermediate support element 174. Thus, a recess having a controlledsize is formed therebetween to receive adhesive.

[0157] Similarly, each of the larger intermediate support elements 175(see FIG. 28) has a relatively wide channel or groove 191 formed in thesubstantially horizontal bottom surface 182 to receive the projection120 on the top wall 114 of each of the hollow concrete blocks 110 onwhich it is supported. The depth of the channel or groove 191 is largerthan the distance that the projection 120 extends upwardly from the topwall 114 of the hollow concrete block 110 in the same manner asdiscussed with respect to the channel or groove 121 in the hollowconcrete block 110. Adhesive is similarly disposed in a recess of acontrolled size formed between the projection 120 and the channel orgroove 191.

[0158] Each of the larger intermediate support elements 175 has arelatively wide projection 193 extending upwardly from the inclinedupper surface 181. When one of the planks 186 (see FIG. 29) is supportedat least on each side on one of the larger intermediate support elements175 (see FIG. 28), each of the channels or grooves 189 (see FIG. 29) and190 in the bottom surface 188 receives one of the projections 193 (seeFIG. 28).

[0159] Each of the channels or grooves 189 (see FIG. 29) and 190 in thebottom surface 188 of the plank 186 has a greater depth than thedistance that the projection 193 (see FIG. 28) extends upwardly from theinclined upper surface 181 of the larger intermediate support element175. Thus, a recess of a controlled size is formed therebetween toreceive adhesive.

[0160] It should be understood that the hollow concrete block 118 (seeFIG. 17) is 6″, high between the top wall 114 and the bottom wall 115,12″ wide between the side walls 116 and 117, and 8″ deep between the endwalls 112 and 113. When the hollow concrete block 118 is split into twoof the hollow concrete block 110 (see FIG. 16), the side wall 116 (seeFIG. 17) of the hollow concrete block 118 is the side wall 116 (see FIG.16) of one of the two hollow concrete blocks 110, and the side wall 117of the hollow concrete block 118 (see FIG. 17) is the side wall 117 (seeFIG. 16) of the other of the two hollow concrete blocks 110.

[0161] The maximum tolerance between the top wall 114 (see FIG. 17) ofthe hollow concrete block 118 and the bottom wall 115 is {fraction(1/16)}″ and is the same for each of the two hollow concrete blocks 110(see FIG. 16) formed therefrom. The maximum tolerance between the sidewalls 116 (see FIG. 17) and 117 of the hollow concrete block 118 is{fraction (1/16)}″, so that the maximum tolerance between the side walls116 (see FIG. 16) and 117 of either of the two split hollow concreteblocks 110 could be {fraction (1/16)}″ but the sum of the maximumtolerances between the side walls 116 and 117 of both of the two splithollow concrete blocks 110 can only be {fraction (1/16)}″.

[0162] It should be understood that each of the intermediate supportelements 174 (see FIG. 26) and 175 and the plank 186 preferably has alength of three feet.

[0163] It also should be understood that any of the hollow concreteblocks 110 or 118 (see FIG. 17) could be formed with any desiredaesthetic appearance. For example, any of the hollow concrete blocks 110(see FIG. 16) or 118 (see FIG. 17) could have the stone face 30 (seeFIG. 1) as shown on the solid concrete block 24.

[0164] An advantage of this invention is that it is easily assembled.Another advantage of this invention is that no cement or mortar has tobe mixed or applied for use in joining parts together. A furtheradvantage of this invention is that a minimum number of interruptedsurfaces is employed. Still another advantage of this invention is thatthe tread has a simple rectangular shape. A still further advantage ofthis invention is that it is economical to manufacture. Yet anotheradvantage of this invention is that the ramp assembly has a relativelylower cost. A yet further advantage of this invention is that anaesthetic wall of hollow concrete blocks can be erected without anymortar.

[0165] For purposes of exemplification, particular embodiments of theinvention have been shown and described according to the best presentunderstanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes andmodifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereofmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A concrete elevation assembly for enabling a person to move from one elevation to another including: a plurality of first support means of reinforced concrete having an upper surface for supporting a person to enable movement from one elevation to another; second support means for supporting each of said first support means at at least two portions thereof; each of said first support means having a lower surface, at least a portion of said lower surface being substantially horizontal; each of said second support means including at least one substantially upper horizontal surface; said lower surface of at least one of said first support means having at least substantially horizontal portions for engaging said substantially horizontal upper surface of each of said second support means to support said first support means on each of said second support means; said substantially horizontal upper surface of each of said second support means including at least one upstanding projection extending upwardly therefrom; said substantially horizontal portions of said lower surface of each of said first support means including a plurality of receiving means for receiving said upstanding projections extending upwardly from each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said second support means on which said first support means is supported; and an adhesive adhering each of said upstanding projections in one of said receiving means of each of said first support means, said adhesive containing no mortar and no cement.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1 in which: each of said first support means includes a tread of reinforced concrete; said second support means includes: a pair of supports; and a plurality of risers of reinforced concrete equal in number to said treads; each of said treads has a substantially rectangular shape including upper and lower surfaces; said lower surface of each of said treads has a longitudinal receptacle therein, said receiving means in said lower surface of each of said first support means includes said longitudinal receptacle; each of said risers has a flat bottom surface and a flat upper surface; said flat upper surface of said riser has a longitudinal projection extending upwardly therefrom for disposition in said longitudinal receptacle in said lower surface of said tread resting on said flat upper surface of said riser, said flat upper surface of said riser on which said lower surface of said tread rests has a greater horizontal surface area than said longitudinal projection extending upwardly from said flat upper surface and integral therewith to form one piece; said adhesive adheres each of said longitudinal projections on said flat upper surface of said riser in said longitudinal receptacle in said lower surface of one of said treads in which said longitudinal projection is disposed; each of said supports has a plurality of substantially horizontal upper surfaces equal in number to the number of said treads; each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of one of said supports is disposed in a different horizontal plane for supporting one of said treads; each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of the other of said supports is disposed in a different horizontal plane for supporting one of said treads but in the same horizontal plane as one of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of said one support; each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports, except the lowermost of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces, supports one of said risers; and each of said supports includes holding means for holding said longitudinal projection extending upwardly from said flat upper surface of each of said risers against a wall of said longitudinal receptacle in said lower surface of one of said treads, except the lowermost of said treads, to aid in preventing movement of each of said risers except the lowermost of said risers.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2 including: each of said treads having a pair of transverse receptacles in said lower surface substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal receptacle in said tread and communicating therewith, said receiving means in said lower surface of each of said first support means including said transverse receptacles; each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports having a projection extending upwardly therefrom for disposition in one of said transverse receptacles in said lower surface of one of said treads and constituting said holding means; and said adhesive adhering each of said projections on each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports in one of said transverse receptacles in said lower surface of said tread in which said projection is disposed.
 4. The assembly according to claim 3 in which each of said supports includes a plurality of concrete blocks arranged in staggered relation to form said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports supporting said treads, each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports being in a different horizontal plane, and each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of one of said supports being in the same horizontal plane as one of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of the other of said supports.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4 in which each of said supports includes: each of said concrete blocks having a projection on its upper surface and a groove in its lower surface; said groove in each of said concrete blocks receiving said projection on said concrete block therebeneath when said concrete block is on top of another of said concrete blocks; said adhesive adhering said projection on each of said concrete blocks disposed in said groove of said concrete block thereabove; said projection on the uppermost of said concrete blocks of each of said supports for one of said treads being disposed in one of said transverse receptacles in said lower surface of said tread and constituting said projection extending upwardly from said substantially horizontal upper surface; and said adhesive adhering each of said projections on the uppermost of said concrete blocks of each of said supports for one of said treads in said transverse receptacle in said lower surface of said tread in which said projection is disposed.
 6. The assembly according to claim 5 including: each of said treads having its upper and lower surfaces substantially parallel to each other; and each of said upper and lower surfaces being substantially planar.
 7. The assembly according to claim 4 including: each of said treads having its upper and lower surfaces substantially parallel to each other; and each of said upper and lower surfaces being substantially planar.
 8. The assembly according to claim 2 in which each of said supports includes a plurality of concrete blocks arranged in staggered relation to form said substantially horizontal upper surfaces in different horizontal planes for supporting said treads, each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of one of said supports being in the same horizontal plane as one of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of the other of said supports.
 9. The assembly according to claim 2 in which said tread does not extend forwardly beyond said riser.
 10. The assembly according to claim 1 in which: said second support means includes at least two supports; each of said supports includes a plurality of concrete blocks arranged to form at least one substantially horizontal upper surface; each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of one of said supports being in the same horizontal plane as one of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of the other of said supports; each of said concrete blocks has a projection on its upper surface; said first support means are a plurality of reinforced concrete slabs forming a first set of said slabs supported by said concrete blocks forming said at least one substantially horizontal upper surface of each of said supports; each of said slabs has an inclined upper surface with the same angle of inclination and a substantially flat bottom surface resting on said at least one substantially horizontal upper surface of each of said supports; said substantially flat bottom surface of each of said slabs has a pair of receiving means for receiving said projection on each of said concrete blocks on which said slab is supported; and each of said slabs has a different thickness between said inclined upper surface and said substantially flat bottom surface to enable said inclined upper surface of each of said slabs to be aligned with each other in an inclined plane while said substantially flat bottom surface of each of said slabs rests on said at least one substantially horizontal upper surface of each of said supports.
 11. The assembly according to claim 10 including: each of said supports including a plurality of concrete blocks arranged to provide a plurality of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces in different horizontal planes with one of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports being in the same horizontal plane; each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces supporting a set of said slabs, said first set of said slabs being supported on the lowermost of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports; and each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces other than the lowermost of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports being disposed to receive another set of said slabs in which said slabs of each of said another sets are the same as said first set so that said inclined upper surfaces of said slabs of each of said another sets are in the same inclined plane as said inclined upper surfaces of said slabs of said first set.
 12. The assembly according to claim 11 including each of said concrete blocks having a groove in its lower surface to receive said projection on said upper surface of said concrete block therebeneath.
 13. The assembly according to claim 1 in which: said second support means includes at least two supports; and each of said supports includes a plurality of concrete blocks arranged In staggered relation to form said substantially horizontal upper surfaces in different horizontal planes for supporting said first support means, each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of one of said second support means being in the same horizontal plane as one of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of the other of said first support means.
 14. The assembly according to claim 13 including each of said concrete blocks having a groove in its lower surface to receive said projection on said upper surface of said concrete block therebeneath, said projection extending for a lesser distance from said upper surface of said concrete block than the depth of said groove in said lower surface to provide a recess of a controlled maximum size between the end of said projection and the base of said groove in which it is disposed to receive said adhesive for joining two of said concrete blocks to each other.
 15. A concrete ramp assembly for enabling a person to move from one elevation to another including: a plurality of planks of reinforced concrete; support means for supporting each of said planks at at least two portions thereof; each of said planks having an upper surface for supporting a person to enable movement from one elevation to another; said support means including at least two supports; each of said supports including a plurality of concrete blocks arranged to form at least one substantially horizontal upper surface; each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of one of said supports being in the same horizontal plane as one of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of the other of said supports; each of said concrete blocks having at least one projection on its upper surface; an intermediate support element supported on said at least one substantially horizontal upper surface of each of said supports; each of said intermediate support elements having a substantially horizontal lower surface and an inclined upper surface; said substantially horizontal lower surface of each of said intermediate support elements having receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on at least one of said concrete blocks on which said intermediate support element is supported; each of said intermediate support elements having at least one projection extending upwardly from said inclined upper surface; each of said planks having substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces; and said lower surface of each of said planks having means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said intermediate support elements on which said plank is supported.
 16. A concrete ramp assembly for enabling a person to move from one elevation to another including: a plurality of planks of concrete; each of said planks having substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces; support means for supporting each of said planks at at least two portions thereof; said upper surface of each of said planks supporting a person to enable movement from one elevation to another; said support means including at least two supports; each of said supports including a plurality of concrete blocks arranged to have at least one substantially horizontal upper surface; each of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of one of said supports being in the same horizontal plane as one of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of the other of said supports; a plurality of intermediate support elements supported on said substantially horizontal upper surface of each of said supports; each of said intermediate support elements having a substantially horizontal lower surface and an inclined upper surface; said inclined upper surface of each of said intermediate support elements having the same inclined angle; each of said concrete blocks having first retaining means on its upper surface; said substantially horizontal lower surface of each of said intermediate support elements having first retaining means for cooperating with said first retaining means of at least one of said concrete blocks of each of said supports on which said intermediate support element is supported to retain said intermediate support element on at least one of said concrete blocks of each of said supports; said inclined upper surface of each of said intermediate support elements having second retaining means; and said lower surface of each of said planks having cooperating means for cooperating with said second retaining means on each of said intermediate support elements on which said plank is supported to retain said plank on each of said intermediate support elements.
 17. The ramp assembly according to claim 16 in which: each of said supports has a plurality of said concrete blocks arranged to provide at least two substantially horizontal upper surfaces in different planes; each of said concrete blocks has second retaining means on its lower surface for cooperating with said first retaining means on the upper surface of said concrete block therebeneath when said concrete blocks are stacked on top of each other; each of said intermediate support elements has the same length; said intermediate support elements include: a first intermediate support element having one end of said inclined upper surface spaced a first predetermined distance from said substantially horizontal lower surface and having the other end of said inclined upper surface spaced a second predetermined distance, greater than the first predetermined distance, from said substantially horizontal lower surface; and a second intermediate support element having one end of said inclined upper surface spaced the second predetermined distance from said substantially horizontal lower surface and having the other end of said inclined upper surface spaced a third predetermined distance, greater than the second predetermined distance, from said substantially horizontal lower surface; one of said first intermediate support elements and one of said second intermediate support elements are supported by a first of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports, each of said first intermediate support elements having its other end abutting the one end of one of said second intermediate support elements; and one of said first intermediate support elements and one of said second intermediate support elements are supported by a second of said substantially horizontal upper surfaces of each of said supports, each of said second intermediate support elements supported on one of said first substantially horizontal upper surfaces having its other end abutting the one end of one of said first intermediate support elements supported on one of said second substantially horizontal upper surfaces, and each of said first intermediate support elements supported on one of said second substantially horizontal upper surfaces having its other end abutting the one end of one of said second intermediate support elements supported on one of said second substantially horizontal upper surfaces.
 18. The ramp assembly according to claim 17 in which each of said concrete blocks of each of said supports is a hollow concrete block having a horizontal through passage.
 19. The ramp assembly according to claim 18 in which: said first retaining means on said upper surface of each of said hollow concrete blocks is at least one projection extending upwardly from said upper surface; said second retaining means on said lower surface of each of said hollow concrete blocks is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on said hollow concrete block therebeneath; said first retaining means of each of said intermediate support elements is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said hollow concrete blocks on which said intermediate support element is supported; said second retaining means of each of said intermediate support elements is at least one projection extending upwardly from said inclined upper surface of each of said intermediate support elements; and said cooperating means on said lower surface of each of said planks is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said intermediate support elements on which said plank is supported.
 20. The ramp assembly according to claim 17 in which: said first retaining means on said upper surface of each of said concrete blocks is at least one projection extending upwardly from said upper surface; said second retaining means on said lower surface of each of said concrete blocks is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on said concrete block therebeneath; said first retaining means of each of said intermediate support elements is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said concrete blocks on which said intermediate support element is supported; said second retaining means of each of said intermediate support elements is at least one projection extending upwardly from said inclined upper surface of each of said intermediate support elements; and said cooperating means on said lower surface of each of said planks is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said intermediate support elements on which said plank is supported.
 21. The ramp assembly according to claim 16 in which each of said concrete blocks of each of said supports is a hollow concrete block having a horizontal through passage.
 22. The ramp assembly according to claim 21 in which: said first retaining means on said upper surface of each of said hollow concrete blocks is at least one projection extending upwardly from said upper surface; said first retaining means of each of said intermediate support elements is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said hollow concrete blocks on which said intermediate support element is supported; said second retaining means of each of said intermediate support elements is at least one projection extending upwardly from said inclined upper surface of each of said intermediate support elements; and said cooperating means on said lower surface of each of said planks is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said intermediate support elements on which said plank is supported.
 23. The ramp assembly according to claim 16 in which: said first retaining means on said upper surface of each of said concrete blocks is at least one projection extending upwardly from said upper surface; said first retaining means of each of said intermediate support elements is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said concrete blocks on which said intermediate support element is supported; said second retaining means of each of said intermediate support elements is at least one projection extending upwardly from said inclined upper surface of each of said intermediate support elements; and said cooperating means on said lower surface of each of said planks is receiving means for receiving said at least one projection on each of said intermediate support elements on which said plank is supported.
 24. The ramp assembly according to claim 16 in which: each of said intermediate support elements has the same length; said intermediate support elements includes: a first intermediate support element having one end of said inclined upper surface spaced a first predetermined distance from said lower surface and having the other end of said inclined upper surface spaced a second predetermined distance, greater than the first predetermined distance, from said lower surface; and a second intermediate support element having one end of said inclined upper surface spaced the second predetermined distance from said lower surface and having the other end of said inclined upper surface spaced a third predetermined distance, greater than the second predetermined distance, from said lower surface; and one of said first intermediate support elements and one of said second intermediate support elements are supported by said substantially horizontal upper surface of each of said supports, said first intermediate support element having its other end abutting the one end of said second intermediate support element.
 25. A method of forming a hollow concrete block with at least one passage extending therethrough between two substantially parallel walls and having its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to each of the two substantially parallel walls including: forming a hollow concrete block with at least one passage extending vertically therethrough between the two substantially parallel walls of the formed hollow concrete block; and controlling the tolerances of at least one of the other walls of the formed hollow concrete block substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passage for use as a horizontal support wall with the longitudinal axis of the passage in the formed hollow concrete block disposed horizontally in use.
 26. The method according to claim 25 including: using a mold to form the hollow concrete block; disposing at least one core vertically within the mold to form the at least one passage extending vertically therethrough between the two substantially parallel walls of the formed hollow concrete block; adding concrete to the mold; and controlling the tolerances of two substantially parallel walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passage for use as horizontal support walls with the longitudinal axis of the passage in the hollow concrete block disposed horizontally in use.
 27. The method according to claim 26 in which one of the two substantially parallel walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passage having their tolerances controlled has two relatively wide projections extending therefrom while the other of the two substantially parallel walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passage having their tolerances controlled has two relatively wide grooves formed therein to receive the two relatively wide projections of another of the hollow concrete blocks when two of the hollow concrete blocks are stacked on top of each other in use with the passage in the hollow concrete block horizontal.
 28. The method according to claim 27 in which each of the two relatively wide projections extends from one of the two substantially parallel walls for a lesser distance than the depth of each of the two relatively wide grooves in the other of the two substantially parallel walls to form a recess with a controlled size between the end of each of the two relatively wide projections and the base of the relatively wide groove in which each of the projections is disposed when two of the formed hollow concrete blocks are stacked on top of each other in use.
 29. The method according to claim 25 in which each of two substantially parallel walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passage has its tolerances controlled.
 30. The method according to claim 29 in which one of the two substantially parallel walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passage having their tolerances controlled has two relatively wide projections extending therefrom while the other of the two substantially parallel walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passage having their tolerances controlled has two relatively wide grooves formed therein to receive the two relatively wide projections of another of the formed hollow concrete blocks when two of the formed hollow concrete blocks are stacked on top of each other in use with the longitudinal axis of the passage in the formed hollow concrete block horizontal.
 31. The method according to claim 30 in which each of the two relatively wide projections extends from one of the two substantially parallel walls for a lesser distance than the depth of each of the two relatively wide grooves in the other of the two substantially parallel walls to form a recess with a controlled size between the end of each of the two relatively wide projections and the base of the relatively wide groove in which each of the projections is disposed when two of the formed hollow concrete blocks are stacked on top of each other in use.
 32. The method according to claim 25 including: using a mold to form the hollow concrete block; disposing a core vertically within the mold to form the passage extending vertically therethrough between the two substantially parallel walls of the hollow concrete block; adding concrete to the mold; and controlling the tolerances of at least one of the walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passage for use as a horizontal support wall with the longitudinal axis of the passage in the formed hollow concrete block disposed horizontally in use.
 33. A hollow concrete block having: at least one passage extending therethrough: two substantially parallel walls parallel to the longitudinal axis of said at least one passage, one of said two substantially parallel walls being a support wall for said hollow concrete block when said hollow concrete block is disposed with the longitudinal axis of said at least one passage is horizontal; one of said two substantially parallel walls having at least one projection extending therefrom; the other of said two substantially parallel walls having at least one channel formed therein to receive said at least one projection on another of said hollow concrete blocks when two of said hollow concrete blocks are stacked on top of each other, the number of said projections and said channels being the same; and said at least one projection extending for a lesser distance from said one substantially parallel wall than the depth of said channel in said other substantially parallel wall to provide a recess of a controlled maximum size between the end of said at least one projection and the base of said channel in which it is disposed to receive an adhesive for joining two of said hollow concrete blocks to each other.
 34. The hollow concrete block according to claim 33 in which: each of said hollow concrete blocks includes two relatively wide projections extending from said one substantially parallel wall and two relatively wide channels formed in said other substantially parallel wall; and each of said two relatively wide projections extending for a lesser distance from said one substantially parallel wall than the depth of each of said channels in said other substantially parallel wall to provide a recess of a controlled maximum size between the end of each of said relatively wide projections and the base of each of said channels in which it is disposed to receive an adhesive for joining two of said hollow concrete blocks to each other.
 35. A wall including: hollow concrete blocks formed in courses so that said hollow concrete blocks are stacked on each other; and each of said hollow concrete blocks including: at least one passage extending therethrough, each of said passages having its longitudinal axis horizontal; two substantially parallel walls parallel to the longitudinal axis of said passage; one of said two substantially parallel walls having at least one projection extending therefrom; the other of said two substantially parallel walls having at least one channel formed therein to receive said at least one projection on another of said hollow concrete blocks when two of said hollow concrete blocks are stacked on top of each other, the number of said projections and said channels being the same; said at least one projection extending for a lesser distance from said one substantially parallel wall than the depth of said channel in said other substantially parallel wall to provide a recess of a controlled size between the end of said at least one projection and the base of said channel in which it is disposed; and an adhesive in said recess for joining two of said hollow concrete blocks to each other.
 36. The wall according to claim 35 in which: each of said hollow concrete blocks includes two relatively wide projections extending from said one substantially parallel wall and two relatively wide channels formed in said other substantially parallel wall; each of said two relatively wide projections extending for a lesser distance from said one substantially parallel wall than the depth of each of said channels in said other substantially parallel wall to provide a recess between the end of each of said relatively wide projections and the base of each of said channels in which it is disposed; and an adhesive in each of said recesses for joining two of said hollow concrete blocks to each other. 